Using existing panels to power off-grid

[SamDeleted]

On a cloudy day I'm going to be discharging the batteries via the inverter, how do I prevent the inverter from draining the batteries too much? Is there another device that can monitor the SoC/DoD and cut off the inverter to protect the batteries?

Low volt cut off , but I'm not sure if there's any that will work with an inverter, I know victrons 'battery protect' doesn't.

Your inverter should have a built in low volt cut off , generally set to 10.5v (100%dod on gels/AGM batteries). On most good inverters it's adjustable





This should give you a rough idea , but voltage is a poor indicator of SOC%, , you're better off with a good quality shunt measuring amps in vs amps out to give you a true soc

Resting voltage only:

 

[SamDeleted]

Solar Hybrid Inverters 24V 240V 3KW 3000W Off Grid PV 55-450VDC MPPT 80A LCD | eBay

This inverter is not just your ordinary inverter! Power Almost Everything For the output power, we've got you covered. With a maximum power output of 3000W, you'll never run out of juice. Solar charging mode MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT.

www.ebay.co.uk

Sorry for spamming your thread LOL


Have a look at this cheap hybrid inverter ,, it could be a good option for you...
Certainly not as good quality as victron or other top brands , but they work , 3 year warranty that Edecoa does actually honour

It could take the place of your inverter & mppt . Only £262.99 delivered, it would definitely get you started ?

 

[1Watt]

Low volt cut off , but I'm not sure if there's any that will work with an inverter, I know victrons 'battery protect' doesn't.

Your inverter should have a built in low volt cut off , generally set to 10.5v (100%dod on gels/AGM batteries). On most good inverters it's adjustable

This should give you a rough idea , but voltage is a poor indicator of SOC%, , you're better off with a good quality shunt measuring amps in vs amps out to give you a true soc

Resting voltage only:
View attachment 171020

I found this project on Github (see screenshot) that allows me to connect to the Victron MPPT via an ESP32 (ESPhome) and gather data via bluetooth, it includes battery current and voltage but not SoC (the smart shunt is required for that).

I'm very familiar with ESPhome and ESP32 Arduino coding in general, so it would be trivial to build a little unit that would automatically turn off the inverter when the battery voltage falls below a specific value. But I'm wondering if this is going to be accurate enough, or if a shunt is the right way to go from the start.

I like that Victron opened their BLE protocol to allow stuff like this, I use HomeAssistant back at my house so I can integrate my off-grid solar stats into that for remote monitoring.

 

[1Watt]

Solar Hybrid Inverters 24V 240V 3KW 3000W Off Grid PV 55-450VDC MPPT 80A LCD | eBay

This inverter is not just your ordinary inverter! Power Almost Everything For the output power, we've got you covered. With a maximum power output of 3000W, you'll never run out of juice. Solar charging mode MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT.

www.ebay.co.uk

Sorry for spamming your thread LOL


Have a look at this cheap hybrid inverter ,, it could be a good option for you...
Certainly not as good quality as victron or other top brands , but they work , 3 year warranty that Edecoa does actually honour

It could take the place of your inverter & mppt . Only £262.99 delivered, it would definitely get you started ?

You're not spamming at all, I really appreciate all of the input. This forum is full of generous smart people.

 

[SamDeleted]

it includes battery current and voltage but not SoC (the smart shunt is required for that).

I've got the Bmv712 , very happy with it

You're not spamming at all, I really appreciate all of the input. This forum is full of generous smart people.

Keep us updated on progress mate ?

 

[SamDeleted]

I'm very familiar with ESPhome and ESP32 Arduino coding in general, so it would be trivial to build a little unit that would automatically turn off the inverter when the battery voltage falls below a specific value. But I'm wondering if this is going to be accurate enough, or if a shunt is the right way to go from the start.

You're a brighter man that I , I can hardly program the VCR

 

[1Watt]

You're not spamming at all, I really appreciate all of the input. This forum is full of generous smart people.

Solar Hybrid Inverters 24V 240V 3KW 3000W Off Grid PV 55-450VDC MPPT 80A LCD | eBay

This inverter is not just your ordinary inverter! Power Almost Everything For the output power, we've got you covered. With a maximum power output of 3000W, you'll never run out of juice. Solar charging mode MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT MPPT.

www.ebay.co.uk

Sorry for spamming your thread LOL


Have a look at this cheap hybrid inverter ,, it could be a good option for you...
Certainly not as good quality as victron or other top brands , but they work , 3 year warranty that does actually honour

It could take the place of your inverter & mppt . Only £262.99 delivered, it would definitely get you started ?

That Edecoa unit is temping in terms of price, and it can handle 430v MPPT input! Which would save me a trip to the roof to re-configure the 4 panels in 2S2P configuration. However, I can't find a data-sheet, manual or review for it anywhere!

 

[SamDeleted]

That Edecoa unit is temping in terms of price, and it can handle 430v MPPT input! Which would save me a trip to the roof to re-configure the 4 panels in 2S2P configuration. However, I can't find a data-sheet, manual or review for it anywhere!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005303304786.html

Found some reviews on AliExpress but no data sheet as of yet .... they do come with a good manuel one in the box (but obviously you'd have to buy one to get it , pretty useless ?)

EDECOA Hybrid Inverter 48V 3000W any good

want to upgrade a bit at some point and if these are any good it would be perfect for my needs but will it at least hold at 2500w out put befor shutting down https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404412623499

diysolarforum.com

 

[SamDeleted]

@1Watt

You could just buy & return if it's not suitable , they do offer free returns

 

[SamDeleted]

Think this is about as good as you're going to get

 

[SamDeleted]

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid

www.photonicuniverse.com

This has similar specs , quite a bit more money , photonic universe are an OK~ company

Tbh all these cheap hybrids are a much of a muchness , most are actually made in the same factory & just badged with different brand names

 

[1Watt]

Right, im going to order the Edecoa and pair it with the £150 gel batteries and see how it performs. Its such a cheap and easy option i think its worth a punt.

If it doesn't work ill get the victron kit and separate inverter. Will report back

 

[1Watt]

Right, im going to order the Edecoa and pair it with the £150 gel batteries and see how it performs. Its such a cheap and easy option i think its worth a punt.

If it doesn't work ill get the victron kit and separate inverter. Will report back

....and the ebay list for the batteries is dead :-(

 

[SamDeleted]

....and the ebay list for the batteries is dead :-(

Reco Energy | eBay Stores

Reco Energy Bringing years of experience and knowledge to eBay from the battery industry. We specialise in selling cosmetically damaged New batteries ,old stock clearance and also sell a fully reconditioned range of batteries. Reconditioned Batteries are an excellent cost effective...

www.ebay.co.uk

Stock levels do shift , but he's always got something


Responds quick so might be worth dropping him a message, could have more available but not yet listed

4 of these would do the trick

GF12 76VSonnenschein Battery (GF1270V / GF 12 70 V) GF12076V 6 Months Old 4469526162832 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GF12 76VSonnenschein Battery (GF1270V / GF 12 70 V) GF12076V 6 Months Old at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[SamDeleted]

Sonnenschein GF12063YO 12 V 70 Ah Gel Battery - Black for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sonnenschein GF12063YO 12 V 70 Ah Gel Battery - Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

4x of these 12v/70ah would make nice little bank... £160 if he's got enough of them

2s2p. 24v/140ah , 3.3kwh (2.4kwh usable)

 

[1Watt]

Sonnenschein GF12063YO 12 V 70 Ah Gel Battery - Black for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sonnenschein GF12063YO 12 V 70 Ah Gel Battery - Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

4x of these 12v/70ah would make nice little bank... £160 if he's got enough of them

2s2p. 24v/140ah , 3.3kwh (2.4kwh usable)

I've messaged the seller to ask if he has 4.

 

[Quattrohead]

Looks like you have already come to a conclusion but I was going to say an all-in-one is by far the easiest and least expensive option for you. KISS ?

 

[1Watt]

Reporting back, so I bought the config you guys suggested and it's all working great!

But I have a question. The AC INPUT has an Earth wire which is internally connected to the chassis of the unit. But the AC OUTPUT does not have an Earth (see attached pic).



Is Earth not supported on the output side or should I connect it to the screw terminal Earth of the chassis on the bottom left of the image?

Inverter specs:

 

[JonnyC]

Hi everyone.

Has anyone used admin login to access the emm554A console , struggling to find a password, used admin,Admin,password,00000,12345, parts of serial number. unit connects to the windows program, bit temperamental over drivers, able to display unit information, but not able to login.
tried contacting info.edecoa.com email bounced back.

thanks